In this review, we will be comparing RP-600M and L200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Polk Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch RP-600M and Polk L200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch RP-600M | Polk L200 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Tractrix Horn | 1" Ring Radiator |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cerametallic | 6.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-25k Hz | 46-38k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 85.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.30kg / 16.1lbs | 10.00kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.7" x 7.9" x 11.8"
399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm | 15-11/16" x 8-3/8" x 13-5/16"
399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch RP-600M and Polk L200 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Klipsch RP-600M |
Polk L200 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both RP-600M and L200 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch RP-600MPolk L200
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch RP-600M |
Polk L200 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
RP-600M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz. On the other hand, the L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
RP-600M has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the RP-600M can go slightly deeper then the L200's min frequency of 46Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
RP-600M is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the L200 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the L200 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. RP-600M sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and the L200's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 10 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-600M a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L200, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
L200 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas RP-600M has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the L200.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both RP-600M and L200 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Klipsch RP-600M's Dual binding posts/bi-wire/bi-amp terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Polk L200's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both RP-600M and L200 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Klipsch RP-600M Tractrix horn-shaped Port
Polk L200 Enhanced Power Port Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Klipsch RP-600M's and Polk L200's external dimensions. Klipsch RP-600M has external dimensions of 399.0 x 202.0 x 301.0mm (15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8inch) whereas Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm (15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch).
Klipsch RP-600M is 11mm narrower and 38mm less deeper than Klipsch RP-600M but they have the same height of 399.0mm.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Klipsch RP-600M and Polk L200 in scale.
Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M and Polk L200 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Klipsch RP-600M is approximately 608.0cm2 / 94.2inch2 and base area of the Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2. The RP-600M requires 16% less surface area than the L200 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Klipsch RP-600M and Polk L200 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Klipsch RP-600M weighs 7.30kg / 16.1lbs and the Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the L200 37% heavier than the RP-600M.
Here is a comparison of how RP-600M and L200's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch RP-600M?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of RP-600M:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles (installed)
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Terminal jumpers (installed)
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Polk L200?
Here are the items that come with the L200:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
608cm2
vs
722cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
459USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-600M |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
96 dB |
85.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
46-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cerametallic |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Ring Radiator |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1500Hz |
2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
202.0mm (8") |
213.0mm (8.4") |
| Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
7.30kg (16.1lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
22-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Polk L200 costs roughly 3.3x what Klipsch RP-600M does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (45Hz vs 46Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch RP-600M is more sensitive (96dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Klipsch RP-600M is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | Polk L200 takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch RP-600M: bi-amping; Polk L200: bi-amping. Klipsch RP-600M sits in a wider range (17 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | Klipsch RP-600M is cheaper - $459 against $1,499, about 69% less; arguably a different class. |
A Klipsch RP-600M B Polk L200
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Klipsch RP-600M has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch RP-600M the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Polk L200 for a mid-size room and a large room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Klipsch RP-600M is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.